NUE: Integration of Nanotechnology into the ME curriculum via Energy Efficient Systems and Dynamic Structures

在内华达大学雷诺分校(UNR)，在Kam K.Leang博士的指导下，这一名为“NUE：通过能效系统和动态结构将纳米技术融入ME课程”的纳米技术本科教育(NUE)课程旨在培养21世纪的机械工程师，使他们能够使用一种新的自上而下的“以学习者为中心”的教学方法来应对纳米技术的新挑战，其中第一个重要步骤是激发他们对纳米技术的兴趣。二年级和三年级的课程将介绍实际的、容易与宏观规模相关的应用程序，如航空航天结构、风能涡轮机叶片和雪橇，这些应用程序的技术工程挑战和改进功能的需要将被介绍，然后与纳米技术提供的解决方案相联系。为了进一步强化这些概念，将开发一套顶石级设计项目，其中包括基于纳米复合材料的风能涡轮机叶片和雪橇，供在前几年了解这些应用后进入高年级学习的学生使用。

This Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering program entitled, "NUE: Integration of Nanotechnology into the ME curriculum via Energy Efficient Systems and Dynamic Structures",at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), under the direction of Dr. Kam K. Leang, aims to prepare 21st century mechanical engineers at UNR to meet the emerging challenges of nanotechnology using a new top-down 'learner-centered' pedagogical approach where the first important step is to excite them about the technology. Practical, easy-to-relate-to macro-scale applications such as aerospace structures, wind-energy turbine blades, and snow skis will be introduced into sophomore and junior-level courses, the technical engineering challenges and need for improving functionality of these applications will be presented and then linked to solutions offered by nanotechnology. To further reinforce the concepts, a suite of capstone-level design projects which includes nanocomposite-based wind-energy turbine blades and snow skis will be developed for students entering their senior year of study after being introduced to these applications in previous years.